Goals 2016

I don’t believe in New Years resolutions. They never seem to work out. However, I’ve got things I want to accomplish this year. So, I’ll make a list, and we’ll see if those things happen or not. Heck, New Year’s Day was four days ago, and I’m just now getting around to this post, so any resolution I make is already getting a late start.

First about 2015…

For the nation it wasn’t such a stellar year. Mass shootings and the rise of idiots like Donald Trump make me fear for our future. I think I’m going to have to take a hiatus from Facebook. However, for me, personally, it wasn’t so bad. I got to make a fantastic trip to Ireland with my brothers, and a relaxing trip to the Keys with Laura. There were lots of kayaking trips as well as photo excursions. There were health issues with Laura’s mom, but overall, the year wasn’t too bad.

But about the upcoming year….

Forget about losing weight. Yeah, I’d like to do that, but I think it would be more important to stay active. Laura and I gave each other Jawbone Up fitness trackers for Christmas, and those seem to be motivating us quite well.

One goal is to kayak even more. I’d like to try at least five new venues, and paddle in a couple of new states. One of my online friends had a goal last year of paddling 500 miles. I don’t have enough info to set a goal like that. However, I have decided to track how far I do paddle in a year. Then, maybe next year I can set a stretch goal. I’ve set up a Google Spreadsheet to keep track of things. Now, if I can just remember to record the distances…

I’d like to know out some gaps in my travels around the United States. I’ve never been to Alabama nor Mississippi. I should be able to knock those out in a single overnight road trip. I’ve never been to New York City. Don’t know why, I just haven’t. I’ve never been to Nevada. I may have to make a trip Vegas at some point. Again, these aren’t solid goals, but things I’d like to do.

With the new banjo I definitely want to improve my skills. However, beyond that I want to learn songs. We were in a pub in Ireland and we were asked to sing a song. I didn’t have one ready. That should NEVER happen. All I could think of were hymns and classical songs. I need to find a few folk songs I can pull out at a moment’s notice. I’m going to try to have at least three ready anytime.